Elvis tribute artist to perform in Blackfoot in support of Down Syndrome advocacy group
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BLACKFOOT — An award-winning Elvis tribute artist is set to put on a performance in East Idaho.
David Lee, who has done his Elvis tribute act throughout North America, will perform at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center at 5 p.m. on July 6 to raise funds for the Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome Organization. Carey Walton, a member of the group, said that the organization helps individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community come together and “form understanding and inclusion.”
David Lee was selected as the 2015 Ultimate Elvis by the Elvis Presley Enterprise. He was also the 2004 World Champion in International Images of the King, the Canadian Grand Champion at the Brantford, Ontario Elvis Fest 2001 and was voted as the 2004 People’s Choice.
Walton and her son, Jared Walton, a board member of the organization, went to one of David Lee’s performances at Graceland, the home of Elvis, in Memphis, Tennessee. The next day when the mother and son were touring Graceland, they ran into David Lee.
“My son approached him and started talking to him, and he was just very open and friendly,” Walton said.
As they talked, they found out that while Lee does performances to fundraise in support of individuals with disabilities, he had never been to Idaho.
“So we invited him to come to Idaho for a performance for our organization, and he agreed. We worked with him and his wife and made the arrangements to get him here,” Walton said.
Walton said that her and her son were impressed with Lee as a performer.
“I found him to be very amazing. He is a very humble, very respectful performer. He is respectful of Elvis and his original music, and he honors him well,” Walton said.
At the performance, many individuals with Down syndrome will be able to join Lee onstage for a song. After the concert, there will be a meet and greet.
“I would highly recommend (people) attend. David Lee is an amazing performer. He is an ultimate Elvis tribute artist,” Walton said.
Tickets go for $25, and they can be purchased on the Eastern Idaho Down Syndrome website. Or people can call Walton at 208-680-0106 and get paper tickets.
The proceeds will go towards providing individuals with Down syndrome adaptive equipment as well as funding monthly events held by the organization.
Walton said that participating in the organization has benefitted Jared by giving him a strong network of support and a space to meet new people. She said that he became more withdrawn after COVID-19, but he’s gone back to being outgoing while serving as a board member.
“They’ve just offered him opportunities, and he’s come back out of his shell,” Walton said.